The first Natural Medicine challenge of 2020 is up - details [here](https://steemit.com/hive-120078/@naturalmedicine/the-first-natural-wisdom-challenge-of-2020-win-100-steem-and-lotus-tokens) and it fits in perfectly to how I'm choosing to start my new year!

Plus @eco-alex has posed the first Question of the Week  for 2020 for the @ecotrain community - details [here](https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@ecotrain/ecotrain-qotw-what-would-you-like-to-do-differently-this-year-join-us) 
>What would you like to do differently this year?

I'll also give a response to this too.

![being grateful for all in natural world with 4 images.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmfUGBHScFDuzQbfCMLxPjojBzAppHbvGMhH9Hewq7rDAE/being%20grateful%20for%20all%20in%20natural%20world%20with%204%20images.jpg)

I'm a year and a half away from retirement and I’m looking at my life now to see what changes I can make to have the life I want when I retire. I want it to be a happy, fulfilling life. 

>Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things. — Isaac Newton

I want to simplify my life – get rid of clutter and excess baggage.

I’ve done pretty good on cutting down on clutter, thanks to my husband’s abhorrence to clutter and my realization that I am happier without it.
I still have some clearing out to do and it will be done keeping in mind the changes that will come with no longer being in the workforce.

It’s that de-cluttering that will release my mind so my attention will no longer be drawn to those things that no longer serve me or have any purpose in my life.

I see myself freer and able to live more in harmony with nature and the people around me, appreciating all I have been given, recognizing the abundance instead of having a scarcity mentality that seems so prevalent in today's society. 

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPnQjpMDGGKSUFjGQKACVY98RxEVD1EiUskDEAPRxcRUL/image.png)

Speaking of abundance - I had recently completed  a 21 Day Abundance Challenge @riverflows conducted (which I  found to be really beneficial) and @plantstoplanks has generously offered to hold the next one starting Jan. 10th for those that missed the previous ones. Details [here](https://steemit.com/hive-120078/@plantstoplanks/21-day-abundance-challenge-let-s-kick-off-2020)

I've been reading (actually I’ve been listening to it for I have the audio version) a book “Braiding Sweet Grass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, this is very helpful in connecting more with the natural world.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZP1m2eMqxxFStbyehfGS9zg59ZQrZH4sSMJWK1VDkHLE/image.png)
[source](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1571313567?pf_rd_p=05326fd5-c43e-4948-99b1-a65b129fdd73&pf_rd_r=ACMRJ40P1ZRG04WRT402)

In this book, Robin brought to our attention the *Thanksgiving Address* which she received from the Onondaga Nation who, in a school near her home, has the school week begin and end with the *Thanksgiving Address*. Sure wish we had that in our schools to bring more appreciation for the natural world.
This address also reminds us that we already have everything we need.

So I’ll give gratitude high priority and begin my day appreciating all I have.  Teachers of this ritual of the Thanksgiving Address say to do it daily and
>beginning with where our feet first touch the earth, we send greetings and thanks to all members of the natural world.

Below is a short version of the *Thanksgiving Address* with some visuals 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWKac3o7isk 

There is a longer version of the Thanksgiving Address in PDF format [here]( http://caid.ca/RRCAP1.0.2.pdf) 
It still isn't the full version for the original Thanksgiving Address actually continued for days.

#### Thanksgiving Address Booklet
![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbi1o6sxQR9NaF5afgkqUkPjR8fsNNXVqQxrwQzCftNac/image.png)
[source](https://www.amazon.com/Thanksgiving-Address-Booklet-Jake-Swamp/dp/B00LPR8ZWW)

In alignment with wanting to be more in harmony with nature, it brings back a talk I attended with David Suzuki about his book *Letters to My Grandchildren*, where he spoke of how the majority of us Canadians came here from other lands and being non-indigenous,  we have a lot to learn from those who are - the First Nation People, for they hold the stories of the land.

With my heritage, I am a transplant to this country, with my grandparents settling the land, I am not native to here but I am working on becoming more indigenous to this place. Just as the plantain (white man’s foot print) became so adapted to these lands giving so many benefits to those who were native here that it was incorporated into their culture and became indigenous to place. This example was beautifully cited in that book *Braiding Sweet Grass*. 
I want to learn more of the indigenous peoples ways and become more in tune with nature which holds many teachings and a lot of wisdom can be gained!

I took part in a gathering at Wanuskewin Heritage Park where another teaching from the First Nations People was shared – the teachings of the Tipi and the values represented by each of the poles of the tipi.

#### Tipi Pamphlet Cover
![tipi pamplet cover.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdP2uWPigmwFo6zdgtXeRERhk6ojR2FnHUJwGJ5vWMEiE/tipi%20pamplet%20cover.JPG)

From a pamphlet I was given here is a simplified version of those teachings:
>**OBEDIENCE**
Obedience means accepting guidance and wisdom from outside of ourselves. Learning from traditional stories, learn what is right and what is wrong. 
**RESPECT**
Respect means giving honor to our Elders, yourself, and Mother Nature, to all of life. Treat others the way you want to be treated. In order to gain respect you must show respect.
**HUMILITY**
We are not above or below others in the circle of life. We shall be humble for we are just a “strand in the web of life.” 
**HAPPINESS**
Happiness is a sign that teenagers are growing up, your present attitude reflects how others feel around you. Share happiness. 
**LOVE**
To live in harmony we must accept one another as we are and be accepting. Be kind and good to one another.
**FAITH**
We must learn to believe and trust others, to believe in a power greater than ourselves. Faith is defined by your own beliefs.
**KINSHIP**
Family, friends and all relationships. We are all connected; all people, the plants, the animals, and all beings. 
**CLEANLINESS**
We must learn not to inflict ills on others, clean thoughts come from a clean mind and spirituality.  
**THANKFULNESS**
It is important to give thanks for the things you have, being mindful that not everyone is afforded the privilege we are given in this country. This also means that we give thanks to the plants and animals for providing food, warmth and medicines. 
**SHARING**
Elders are the leaders in the community, they share their knowledge and stories so that we can learn from their wisdom.
**STRENGTH**
We must learn to be patient in times of trouble and not to complain but to endure and show understanding. Strength refers to mental, physical, emotional and spiritual states.
**GOOD CHILD REARING**
Children are unique and they are a gift. They represent the continuity of our community. We are responsible for their well being and intellectual development.
**HOPE**
We must hope for good health and happiness, for ourselves, our communities, our children, and all other beings.
**ULTIMATE PROTECTION**
Traditionally it was the women who raised the tipi and they took care of their families within. When the flaps were closed due to weather or darkness, they resemble the protective arms of the mother.
**CONTROL FLAPS**
We are all connected by relationships and that we depend on each other. This controls and creates harmony and in the circle of life. 

These are great teachings for instilling values and it focuses on living in harmony in the circle of life, stressing that in a circle all are equal with none above or below, no beginning or end. Also the sense of belonging to a family and to community, creating roots that connect us to Mother Nature.

I am very grateful to have access to all these wonderful resources and to be able to live in the wilderness of the boreal forest, close to nature. I'm also grateful for all the wonderful connections I have made here in the different communities.
If you have any recommendations for bringing me closer to my goals I'd love to hear about them!

May you all be happy and peaceful and may peace and harmony prevail in this world! 

Top image is a collage from my own photos. 

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